Frank's Forecast #8

That thud you heard last weekend, along with Oklahoma’s reign at #1 and the Cowboys Super Bowl hopes, was my crystal ball.

Thanks to the usual abuse from the NFL (Browns over Saints? Raiders 59 points???), I went 18-12 for the week.

I did great in high school (7-2), okay in NCAAs (4-3), and then dove to 7-7 for the pros. Once again, positive proof why there is ZERO money involved.

This week’s high school action has a trip to Ralph Wilson Stadium on the line for next weekend’s Class finals. Say it wih me: “Finally a chance for fans to see some good football!” Poor Bills. Only winless team in the NFL. Looking at the schedule back in September, they figureed KC for an easy win. Now? Chiefs are sitting atop the AFC West at 4-2.

As for the college circus, we’ve got the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” (Florida-Georgia), Mizzou trying to prove beating the Sooners was no fluke. Last week I wrote “talk to me when Oregon, Oklahoma, and the SEC champ are undefeated.” Get me rewrite! Seven undefeateds, with one guranteed to fall (TCU and Utah play later on). Who’s left? Oregon (Pac-10), Mizzou (Big 12), Auburn (SEC), and Michigan St. (Big 10) among the big boys. Mizzou and Auburn have conference championships, among other things, to worry about, Ducks and Spartans don’t. More below.

HEEEERE WE GO:

HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS AA

Jamestown (5-3) at Orchard Park (7-1) — Red Raiders scored seven last week, OP put up 51. Orchard Park won round one, they’ll take the rematch — ORCHARD PARK by 10

CLASS C

Fredonia (7-1) vs. Grover Cleveland (8-0) — Hillbillies take on GC in the latter’s first year in the Section 6 playoffs. Neutral site should help — FREDONIA by 7

Salamanca (5-3) at Southwestern (8-0) — Warriors pulled off the upset last week, but that was a molehill and this is Mt. Everest. Trojans going for win #38, and they won the week 2 matchup 48-0— SOUTHWESTERN by 21

CLASS D

Maple Grove (7-1) at Randolph (8-0) — Red Dragons haven’t stumbled since opening week against Silver Creek, but hard to go against defending state champs — RANDOLPH by 14

Chautauqua Lake (6-2) at Silver Creek (8-0) — Black Knights beat CL 48-6 in week two, and only gave up six more points (one TD against Clymer), then posted big shutouts the rest of the way — SILVER CREEK by 14

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NCAA

#1 Oregon (7-0) at #24 USC (5-2) — Yes, SC is still ranked by the AP. Ducks rolled em last year. Should be a repeat — OREGON

#3 Auburn (8-0) at Mississippi (3-4) — Tigers in control of SEC destiny — AUBURN

#5 Michigan State (8-0) at #18 Iowa (5-2) — Hawkeyes blew a golden chance to knock off Wisconsin with horrible clock management. Sparty showed grit in rallying to beat NWestern. Win here, and a Big Ten title looks very promising for the men of Lansing — MICHIGAN STATE

#7 Missouri (7-0) at #14 Nebraska (6-1) — Huskers spit the bit against Texas, but bounced back last week. Root for anarchy — MISSOURI

#10 Ohio State (7-1) at Minnesota (1-7) — Oh goody, a horror movie (at least for Gophers fans) — OHIO STATE

Florida (4-3) vs. Georgia (4-4) — LOVE rivalry games. Uga’s boys take it as Gators sink further (YES!, sorry couldn’t help it)— GEORGIA

Syracuse (5-2) at Cincinnati (3-4) — You read those records correctly, kids. Orange have a shot at Big East glory if performances like last week’s against WVU continue. Cincy has fallen off a cliff like Wile E. Coyote — SYRACUSE ———

NFL

Denver (2-5) vs. San Francisco (1-6) (at London)— San Fran FINALLY starting Troy Smith. (’Bout time) They’re telling fans in London it’s still Elway and Montana— 49ERS

Washington (4-3) at Detroit (1-5) — Skins are “less bad” — REDSKINS

Buffalo (0-6) at Kansas City (4-2) — The saga continues — CHIEFS

Carolina (1-5) at St. Louis (3-4) — Battle of pretenders — RAMS

Miami (3-3) at Cincinnati (2-4) — One more chance, Bengals? Nope — DOLPHINS

Jacksonville (3-4) at Dallas (1-5) — Season is pretty much shot with Romo playing cheerleader (insert Jessica Simpson joke here), but Jags are no Goliath — COWBOYS

Green Bay (4-3) at NY Jets (5-1) — Ladies and gentlemen, your AFC East champs-to-be — JETS

Tennesse (5-2) at San Diego (2-5) — Vince Young “likely” to start. Steve Young could start and Titans would still find a way to win — TITANS

Minnesota (2-4) at New England (5-1) — Brett Favre may sit out! Go to SPORTSCENTER level Orange. He might help them out by having a seat — PATRIOTS

Seattle (4-2) at Oakland (3-4) — Raiders with 59 points? In ONE game? Where’s that hat again? — RAIDERS

Tampa Bay (4-2) at Arizona (3-3) — Both hard to figure out, so home team rule applies — CARDINALS

Pittsburgh (5-1) at New Orleans (4-3) — Mr. Brees, time’s up. Ben and the gang can certainly do what the Brownies did — STEELERS

Houston (4-2) at Indianapolis (4-2) — Colts will be on guard against upset Monday. Besides, it’s All Saints Day and Peyton’s divine to Indy fans — COLTS

Until next week, keep SPEAKING FRANKLY! (Look for some post election thoughts Tuesday and Wednesday!)